Prayer is one of the vital links between the believer and God. I encourage you to call upon Him not only in your times of need but in times of praise and thanksgiving! I pray you have a very happy Thanksgiving this year with family and friends. Enjoy the video below!

As I was following my daily ritual of reading through the current news cycle, I was somewhat shocked by an article citing a new strategy in the promotion of what is generally referred to as “Obamacare.” Cutting-edge advertisements have been produced by the state of Colorado to encourage young adults to sign up for the new health care exchanges. Now before going any further I realize the Affordable Care Act is a hot topic issue for many of us, but this blog isn't about politics or the soundness of the ACA law. My intent is to briefly focus on the cultural message behind these ads. Generally speaking, when we finance state and federal programs with our tax dollars we’re also putting a stamp of approval upon those programs whether we like them or not. In essences these ads reveal a part of our character and moral makeup as a nation. Think for a moment what the ad pictured here actually suggests. Do we really want to tell young women, and essentially young men, that a promiscuous lifestyle is now more affordable because birth control pills are covered by our new healthcare law? Do we also want to convey a sense of moral acceptability because our government has approved of such behaviors? Obviously, I believe the answer should be an emphatic "NO." Surely, some will think I’m simply being prudish and naïve because “young people are going to do what young people do.” I’m neither prudish nor naïve, and young adults engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage isn't the main point of this blog. My real issue is that our government is promoting what the Scriptures teach to be immoral, and to be footed by “Joe and JoAnn taxpayer” should disturb all Americans. If the promotion of immorality isn't enough to bother us then note the asterisk at the bottom of the ad which states; “The pill doesn't protect you from STDs, condoms and common sense do that.” The indication is that the only real consequence other than an unintended pregnancy of sex outside of marriage is the possible transmission of an STD. Where's the common sense? Shouldn't we share with teens and young adults the emotional toil and heartache that often comes with multiple sexual relationships? There is a price to pay. Statistically young women who have multiple partners throughout their lifetime tend to have lower self-esteem and greater relationship issues. Since we’re being frank, I don’t want you to think that I’m intentionally targeting just America’s youth. Yes, these ads may focus on young adults, but recent studies show the fastest-growing group contracting STDs are older adults - Baby Boomers to be exact. The findings of these studies indicate Boomers are “playing the field” once again after a divorce or being widowed. This suggest to us that sexual immorality is common throughout all age groups, and it brings us back to where we stand as a people culturally. The sad story about our society is that we’re a nation in a state of rapid moral decline. It seems to some, such as myself, that the majority of Americans have adopted the “We–Don’t–Care” mentality. Even during the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s there were conservative entities and vocal segments of society who still exercised a great deal of influence over our culture. Civic and community leaders at least projected and advocated a sense of biblical morality even if they didn't always practice what they preached. Today there appears to be an outright movement against all things holy. Does holiness and righteous living even matter to us anymore as a people? Have we become such a progressive society that we really no longer care what God deems right? Just for a moment forget about the political aspects of “Obamacare” and come to grips with the fact that God–cares. He cares about holiness. He cares about righteousness. He cares about you and the life you live.

1 Peter 1:14-19 (ESV) 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

I'm not trying to be or sound "Holier than thou" because I've made many mistakes in my life. I just want you to know that God-cared enough to give His Son as a payment for our sin, and I think He deserves better from us. I know He deserves better from me, and He deserves better from the government that represents us. Our leaders are to demonstrate a higher standard in their governing, and we as a nation should speak out and hold them to that higher standard. Blessings,Rod